ULUNDI, 26 December 2025 – The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs notes with deep concern the failure of the Impendle Local Municipality to pay employee salaries and allowances for December 2025.
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has called the current situation unacceptable and sympathises with the affected workers.
“It is deeply regrettable that municipal employees and their families are facing such hardship during the festive season. It is unacceptable for workers to be left destitute due to administrative failures,” said MEC Buthelezi.
The Department notes that this is not the first time the municipality has found itself in this precarious position; a similar failure to pay salaries occurred in May this year, which was eventually resolved following intervention.
The recurrence of this crisis indicates a serious lack of financial stability that cannot be allowed to continue.
To get to the bottom of the issue, MEC Buthelezi has deployed senior officials to conduct an urgent comprehensive analysis of the financial position and ascertain the facts surrounding this failure.
MEC Buthelezi has issued a clear directive to the municipal leadership: “If salaries are not paid before 31 December 2025, the MEC will not hesitate to take the necessary action that will restore order and functionality to the Impendle Municipality.”
KZN CoGTA calls upon the leadership of Impendle Municipality to take full responsibility and act immediately to rectify this situation.
The Council and management must prioritise the workforce and ensure that all outstanding salaries are paid without further delay.
Ends.